California Redwoods - Near Oregon or Santa Cruz or both

masraum · 09-17-2009, 10:30 AM

I'm curious. I know that there's a whole area south of San Fran/North of Santa Cruz laced with various _____ Redwood State Parks. But there's also a Redwood Forest up in the far north just below the Oregon border.

Where are THE redwoods? Are there some in both places? What's the deal?

They are something that I've always wanted to see.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

There are redwoods up north (Mendocino, Fort Bragg) known as the "Lost Coast" which is a great area and some further south (Muir Woods, Santa Cruz, etc.). Are you talking redwoods or do you mean sequoias? If your talking sequoias, they are east of Fresno and are some big f'n trees.

LWJ · 09-17-2009, 11:03 AM

S. of Oregon is THE place. I was there last year for 4 days with the family. That was too long. We ran out of things to do. While the redwoods are worth seeing, I don't know if I would travel from Texas just for that. Maybe part of a larger trip?

Good luck.
Larry

masraum · 09-17-2009, 11:07 AM

Right, we aren't planning a trip to see them. I just figure at some point, I'll be over in that area and was wondering. I was talking to a buddy this morning and mentioned the Redwood State Park between San Fran and Santa Cruz, and he said that he thought that they were near Oregon.

I'd like to see the real monsters some day (assuming they are still around then).

scottmandue · 09-17-2009, 11:07 AM

There are redwoods and then there are REDWOODS

Sounds like what you want to see are the giant Sequoia's... they are massive and extremely old and one of the great wonders of the world.

I don't like using the word awesome... but yeah... they are!

I'll see if I can fine the location, they are back nearer Yosemite

BeyGon · 09-17-2009, 11:12 AM

Sequioa and Big Sur on the coast.

ckissick · 09-17-2009, 11:24 AM

I grew up in a redwood forest, so here's the scoop.

Since you don't plan on a trip specifically for the trees, you are most likely to visit San Francisco for some other reason. If so, the best place to see big redwoods is Muir Woods just north of SF, in Marin County. If you're in San Jose, then head over to Big Basin State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

If you have a few days, go up to Redwood National Park, about 5 hours north of SF on Highway 101.

Classic redwoods are actually called Sequoia Sempervirons, while the other "redwoods" in the Sierra are Sequoia Gigantea, commonly referred to as sequoia trees.

I prefer redwoods, as the redwood forests are much more lush and scenic. The sequoia forests are pretty barren at ground level. The sequoias are the largest trees in the world, but the redwoods are the tallest.

The best places to see big sequoias are the Wawona Grove in the south end of Yosemite Park, or Sequoia National Park.

Laneco · 09-17-2009, 11:38 AM

I'm a little prejudiced geographically - LOL! But the Nor-Cal/Oregon Redwoods pretty much rock... They are also accompanied by a delightful twisty drive between them and moving inland roughly east on Highway 199. The Avenue of the Giants is amazing. Swing into any wide place and follow trails to giant trees.

http://www.redwoods.info/showrecord.asp?id=513

some spectacular swimming holes along the Smith River await as well. Park at the cut-off for Stout Grove (paved) and go straight down the trail to the water. Probably 40 or 50 feet deep, clear, clean with a sandy beach, huge rocks to jump off of and campground type rest room a few yards back from the water.

If your vehicle can handle a dirt road, turn toward Stout Grove and take Howland Hill road.

http://www.360cities.net/image/redwood-forrest-usa

It is wholly accessible, even with a two-wheel drive but it is gravel. Fabulous trees and trails through there. Boy Scout tree is a nice hike. That road will drop you out on the coast near the Indian Casino near crescent city. Alot of people make a loop - Avenue of the Redwoods to the cut off for Stout Grove, then Howland Hill road or some variation.

Jedediah Smith State Park looks promising but honestly doesn't have any where near the fabulous trees the other two routes give you for free.

angela

Oh - here's the swimming hole mentioned above and a stump from one of the trees on Howland Hill road (don't worry, plenty of bigger ones that are still TREES!):

masraum · 09-17-2009, 12:08 PM

Thanks for all of the info folks!

look 171 · 09-17-2009, 12:27 PM

There's the Sequioas in Sequioa National park south of Yosemity. those are big fat ones. The really tall ones are costal. Go to Muir Woods about 45mins or an hour north of San Francisco. Santa Cruz is worth seeing if you have never been. Go to Carmel or Monterey all within a couple of hours of each other. 17 mile drive is worth it, then have dinner in Carmel. Plenty to do. That costal area is really beatiful in Calif. not too many places like it in the world.

BLEW911 · 09-17-2009, 12:54 PM

"Avenue of the Giants"

Bill Douglas · 09-17-2009, 01:15 PM

Have a swim/surf at Santa Cruz then bring your tent and head north east towards San Jose. Beautiful.

DanielDudley · 09-17-2009, 05:22 PM

I think it is worth the trip from anywhere.

Evans, Marv · 09-17-2009, 09:08 PM

The Sequoias in Sequoia Natl. Park (Sequoia Gigantea) are worth a day trip if you are in the area. The General Sherman tree is the largest living thing in the world, and the Congress Grove right next to it is a wonderful walk of about a mile & a half through a grove of huge Sequoias.
I had the amazing experience of watching & photographing one of them fall down in '68 or '69.